Need advice

[Rickg]

We are buying a patio home in the villages and sadly can't move full time for a while. Does anyone have good or bad experience with landscapers, home watch, exterminators, etc.. Thanks for any input.

[Mitzih]

We bought several months ago and still haven't moved in. We use PTL Services (Pest, Termite, Lawn) for the yard maintenance and "Empty Nest" for the house. So far so good.
PTL cuts grass and keeps bugs out of the yard. They send me a report once a month on what they have done. Empty Nest goes in and runs water, flushes toilets, runs the dishwasher, adjusts the heat and A/C. They also give me a report. Because we have not been there yet, this is all reported from what I hear from them. It remains to be seen what kind of job they have done.

[readmore]

Do NOT use Joe Preston of Createscape, alias Tropical Landscape and Design. Please feel free to call Seniors vs Crime at 352-689-4600, x4606 before hiring any questionable contractors.

[justjim]

We are buying a patio home in the villages and sadly can't move full time for a while. Does anyone have good or bad experience with landscapers, home watch, exterminators, etc.. Thanks for any input.

Home watch---Peace of Mind Home Watch Services----did a great job for us while away this past summer. 352-250-2984. Plantacular on 441 near Fruitland Park did an excellent job with our landscape and will "follow up.". When you got questions. Tom Zahn, owner. 352-314-0600. Termite---pest control----Massey who did the original termite on the house. Stellar----mowing the yard. Be sure and get more than one bid and on your landscape don't pay until they are finished and you are satisfied. Welcome and good luck.

[Phanatic Luvr]

The Village Sitter Home Watch Service does a great job. Weekly inspections, reasonable rates compared to The Empty Nestor program, photo's and great communication with owner. Charlene and Steve (267) 481-0588. Village residents (south end), insured and bonded. Give them a call.

[asianthree]

another vote for village home sitter can't say it enough about Charlene and Steve they found things at our home that needed to be taken care of that the inspectors even missed... can take care of anything that you need and then some ....two of the best people I have ever .....pm me if you'd like their phone number Great monthly reports even pictures of your home so you can see if something needs attending to.

[asianthree]

Sent you a pm

[Rickg]

No pm received

[Uptown Girl]

For house sitting, we repeatedly used:

Let Dee DO IT 4U @ **************

We were VERY satisfied.
(she also does landscape bush trimming)

I also REALLY liked the fact that she came incognito.... no van with a big "HOUSE WATCH" sign on it.


For grass cutting/edging and weed pulling, if possible, check with neighbors that have good looking lawns and see who they use, and how they charge.
Most places charge monthly, AFTER the work is done. I personally prefer it that way.

Exchange phone numbers with a neighbor, and ask them to call you if your landscaping, or ANYTHING is neglected while you are away.

Our next door neighbor had 5 foot weeds for months. Nobody knew them, as they purchased and then didn't ever visit. The house had a house watcher, but he never reported that the weeds were not being pulled, or that their magnolia was severely diseased, then died.

By the time the Villages stepped in and got ahold of them to report it and get things cleaned up, it was an absolute mess outside.
They were assigned a different landscape company chosen by The Villages, and had to pay for a big time clean-up. (They needed chain saws to get into the back yard, once they opened the gate, and had to use a flat bed to haul everything away.)
Things would not have gotten that far if we could have reached them, as both their lawn service and their house watch dropped the ball.

P.S. I see that they won't allow her phone # to be printed here. If you are interested in Dee's services, she has a website under the title I posted above, or you can PM me. She is insured and bonded.